Does New School Program Promote Abstinence or Recreational Sex?
From “Kids not told enough about abstinence,” Letter to Editor, Daily Gleaner Sept. 17,2004
Dear Editor:
Defending the new middle school sexual health program, a consultant said, “It stresses over and over the importance of abstaining from sex...The curriculum does not stop with
abstinence.” Comparing what appears to be misleading statements with the actual content of the new comprehensive sex program is causing a goodly number of parents to ponder how they can get the Department of Education and District Education Councils to do more homework. First, the consultant’s statement that says, “... the curriculum stresses over and over the importance of abstaining from sex.” But in truth, more references are made to sexual pleasure in Grade 6 than to abstinence. As a matter of fact, the word abstinence is not even mentioned in Grade 6. It does, however, state at that grade level, “Masturbation (girls & boys) is normal ... many people choose deliberate stroking of sex organs, a method of safe sex as long as there is no exchange of body fluids.” (pp. 63, 70). Does such teaching promote abstinence or recreational sex?
Children in Grade 7 will learn in a number of lessons about physical intimacy with only one lesson regarding peer pressure that is applied to abstinence.
After giving much coverage of the benefit of condoms in Grade 8, an abstinence lesson entitled Postponing Intercourse vs. Having Intercourse follows. The teacher’s manual states, “... avoid preaching the values of abstinence...offer students an opportunity to clarify their own values.” (p. 218).
Near the end of the Grade 8 unit on Growth and Development, just before “the heterosexual privilege” is challenged, the word abstinence is repeated several times and declared to be 100 per cent reliable. It comes amidst information on sexually transmitted diseases and very heavy information concerning pregnancy prevention which includes the option of abortion. How sad, by the end of this Grade 8 unit, irreparable damage to the minds of children would have already occurred.
Regarding the consultant’s second defense, not only does this comprehensive sex program “not stop with abstinence,” but it does not even start with the goal of abstinence. Abstinence is not a stated goal in the new N.B. middle school comprehensive sex health program.
This curriculum is built on the goal of risk reduction. Since goals determine direction, the whole comprehensive sex education approach runs contrary to the values of the majority of N.B. parents who stated in the parental survey that abstinence is extremely important.
As parents become informed about this new middle school health curriculum content, very deep concern is being expressed regarding the sacred trust which has been given.
Abstinence programs teach relationship education, marriage preparedness, character building, refusal skills, action/consequence education, parent/teen communication skills and STD information. In North America, over 12 abstinence programs are being successfully used.
Youth need to hear a united voice from parents talking to their children about these issues at an early age, along with doctors, churches and schools. Youth do want to hear the message of abstinence.
They know a friend with a sexually transmitted disease, an unwanted pregnancy, or the emotional pain associated with breakup. The message of abstinence relieves stress. Pressure is lifted as youth are given sound reasons to strengthen their resolve to wait.
Health and education professionals and Christian Action Federation of N.B. believe parents should be informed of content in the Growth and Development unit of the new N.B. health curriculum.
- Mary E. Thurrott, Christian Action Federation of N.B., Fredericton
